Star Trk Novel

Gene Roddenberry's novelization of "Star Trek -- The Motion Picture" is a book I've always liked, and is far superior to the movie on which it's based. The first "Trek" movie works neither as science fiction cinema nor as a "Star Trek" adventure. Gene's book, by contrast, works both as science fiction and as "Star Trek". Needless to say, the book and the movie have the same plot, which proceeds just as slowly in both versions -- but the book remains engaging throughout due to the insight it gives us into the characters' thought processes. Gene is able to do things in the prose format which the movie could not do, such as presenting the opening attack on the Klingon ships as a thought transmission from Starfleet Command which Jim Kirk receives while visiting the Library at Alexandria (which Gene correctly predicted would someday be rebuilt). We gain much more insight into the civilization of 23rd-century Earth, and into the characters and how they have changed since the end of the original series, than the movie gives us. Gene even manages to address the eternal question of whether or not Kirk and Spock's relationship was more than friendship in a way which is completely true to both characters and to Gene's own philosophy -- and is also very funny. Over the years some fans have questioned whether or not Gene actually wrote this book. I don't know why -- his stylistic fingerprints are all over it. The book deals with many of the themes and concepts that recurred throughout Gene's work. It clearly could have been written by no one else.

If you liked the movie, you will appreciate the book as it (like most movie novelizations) provides a wealth of additional information that helps to fill out the story portrayed in the film. In particular, the additional information on Kirk & Co. and what they did in the interim between television series and the movie as well as the information on the characters of Decker, Ilia, and even Vejur itself are invaluable to both an appreciation of the novel and the film. Not to be prudish, but at times the sexual innuendo can be a little less than subtle - otherwise a good start to a great series of science fiction novels. I would have liked to have seen more novels penned by Mr. Roddenberry.

What surprised me about this book was that it was better than the movie. It explained a lot in terms of what happened after the crew's five year mission and how they coped with the changes. It's surprising to me...unless this book was ghost written like the Shatner ones.. that Roddenberry didn't devote more time to getting his version of Star Trek in the form of novels. I would have loved to see his script for the "God Thing" ...it would have made Shatner's disaster Star Trek V pale in comparison. From what I have read an attempt was made however the Roddenberry estate did not like the revision by a Trek novelist.

This book is a must for every fan of the movie. It actually starts some time before the movie scenario, showing Kirk pursuing the command of the Enterprise at Starfleet. It reveals the identities of the 2 people caught in the transporter accident and their connection to Kirk, along with more backstory on Spock's adventures. And it cuts out the long boring trip through V'jer's special effects cloud. Can't beat that!

I loved it. It was great. It was wondeful. it was stupendious, exciting, marvelous, beautiful, terrific. Grand in its scope; terrifying in it's beauty. ; complex in its simplicity. Light-years ahead of it's time. Roddenberry's masterwork. Thought-provoking. This book satisfies the mind, the spirit, the body. You will rememeber this book for all of eternity. After you read this book, you will read no other. it will make you illiterate. This book has inspired me to create art, as it will inspire you to find you to find symphonies in your soul. Gene Roddenberry, God rest his soul, I owe you an eternal debt of gratitiude